Windows 10 support ends Tomorrow (October 14, 2025)

LectureMaster

LectureMaster

Has Man Musk

Windows 10 support ends on October 14, 2025 - Microsoft Support

Windows 10 support ends on October 14, 2025. Upgrade to Windows 11 now to ensure continued security and feature updates. Learn more about the transition.
support.microsoft.com support.microsoft.com

As a reminder, Windows 10 will reach the end of support on October 14, 2025. At this point technical assistance, feature updates and security updates will no longer be provided. If you have devices running Windows 10, we recommend upgrading them to Windows 11- a more modern, secure, and highly efficient computing experience. If devices do not meet the technical requirements to run on Windows 11, we recommend that you enroll in the Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program or replace the device with one that supports Windows 11.

What are my options for staying supported on a Windows operating system?

  • Installing Windows 11 on your current PC - If your PC meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11 and is eligible to upgrade directly to Windows 11, you might have already received a notification about upgrading. To check if your PC is eligible for the free upgrade go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select Check for updates.
  • New PC with Windows 11 - If your PC is not eligible, or if you want a new PC with Windows 11 pre-installed, you might want to start by exploring the latest Windows 11 PCs. This tool will help you find the right PC based on your unique needs.
  • Extended Security Updates (ESU) program - If you need more time before moving to a Copilot+ PC or other new Windows 11 device, the consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program can protect your Windows 10 device up to a year after October 14, 2025.
 
Still 32% Steam folks rocking Windows 10 as of last month.

mLUgx4x8pYHbgtYa.png
 
Just leaving this Chris Titus WinUtil here, because it's the easiest de-bloater if you're upgrading to Windows 11.

Easy to install, GUI is nice enough, strips out Onedrive, lets you batch install multiple programs at once on a new computer, gives you presets depending on how much you want to remove, and has a video tutorial if that's easier to follow along.
 
Last edited:
Durin said:
Just leaving this Chris Titus WinUtil here, because it's the easiest de-bloater if you're upgrading to Windows 11.

Easy to install, GUI is nice enough, strips out Onedrive, lets you batch install multiple programs at once on a new computer, gives you presets depending on how much you want to remove, and has a video tutorial if that's easier to follow along.
Click to expand...
Christ Titus doing God's work
 
Got extended support across both my windows machines until this time next year.

Affords me the time to transition at least one of those machines (if not both in an ideal world) across to Linux.
 
I tried Windows 11 like a year ago and hated it so I went back to Windows 10... I found the ergonomy just not as good as Windows 10. I guess there's some getting used to, but there's some stuff I just found really bad.

Are there ways to make Windows 11 look and feel as close as possible to Windows 10?
Few things I hated that I can think of:

- Rounded Corners. I hate them, the sharp corners of W10 looked a lot better. I don't know why everything has to have rounded corners nowadays.
- The dumb right click. For some reason there was a first fake right click and you needed an additional click there to access the real one. Wtf?
- I didn't like the start menu. I really liked the one in W10 with the tiles system, I basically used that page as a second desktop with lot of shortcut tiles there.
- The print screen function was super annoying, instead of taking an immediate screenshot of the screen, it would now open a selection box.

And a few other things here and there...
 
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Larxia said:
I tried Windows 11 like a year ago and hated it so I went back to Windows 10... I found the ergonomy just not as good as Windows 10. I guess there's some getting used to, but there's some stuff I just found really bad.

Are there ways to make Windows 11 look and feel as close as possible to Windows 10?
Few things I hated that I can think of:

- Rounded Corners. I hate them, the sharp corners of W10 looked a lot better. I don't know why everything has to have rounded corners nowadays.
- The dumb right click. For some reason there was a first fake right click and you needed an additional click there to access the real one. Wtf?
- I didn't like the start menu. I really liked the one in W10 with the tiles system, I basically used that page as a second desktop with lot of shortcut tiles there.
- The print screen function was super annoying, instead of taking an immediate screenshot of the screen, it would now open a selection box.

And a few other things here and there...
Click to expand...
Pretty sure this program does all that, and it's pretty easy to install and gets updated regularly for when Microsoft tries to override this stuff

github.com

GitHub - valinet/ExplorerPatcher: This project aims to enhance the working environment on Windows

This project aims to enhance the working environment on Windows - valinet/ExplorerPatcher
github.com github.com

Relevant bits:
github.com

All features

This project aims to enhance the working environment on Windows - valinet/ExplorerPatcher
github.com github.com

github.com

All features

This project aims to enhance the working environment on Windows - valinet/ExplorerPatcher
github.com github.com

github.com

All features

This project aims to enhance the working environment on Windows - valinet/ExplorerPatcher
github.com github.com
 
jshackles said:
Pretty sure this program does all that, and it's pretty easy to install and gets updated regularly for when Microsoft tries to override this stuff

github.com

GitHub - valinet/ExplorerPatcher: This project aims to enhance the working environment on Windows

This project aims to enhance the working environment on Windows - valinet/ExplorerPatcher
github.com github.com

Relevant bits:
github.com

All features

This project aims to enhance the working environment on Windows - valinet/ExplorerPatcher
github.com github.com

github.com

All features

This project aims to enhance the working environment on Windows - valinet/ExplorerPatcher
github.com github.com

github.com

All features

This project aims to enhance the working environment on Windows - valinet/ExplorerPatcher
github.com github.com
Click to expand...
Thanks! Will keep that saved for whenever I have to "upgrade".
Does microsoft often try to block these?
 
A question: I have a nice computer that I only use for sim racing. I turn it on maybe 1-2 times each month and Chrome only gets opened 1-2 times each year. Nothing important or personal is on this machine.

Is there any reason for me to upgrade to Windows 11? I don't think I have any meaningful threat vulnerabilities.
 
Larxia said:
Thanks! Will keep that saved for whenever I have to "upgrade".
Does microsoft often try to block these?
Click to expand...
I don't think they do intentionally, but the program usually needs updating any time Windows changes the default explorer behavior to keep working (or keep all features intact).
 
GHG said:
Got extended support across both my windows machines until this time next year.

Affords me the time to transition at least one of those machines (if not both in an ideal world) across to Linux.
Click to expand...
Where do you see how much longer your OS is supported?
 
I got the free 1 year extended security updates for Windows 10 since I'm living in the EU, so I'll stick with this OS for a while longer. That said, I've been using Windows 11 at work for a good while, and I still don't like it... We'll see what happens once that extra year of free security updates expires.
 
Last edited:
nkarafo said:
Where do you see how much longer your OS is supported?
Click to expand...

It came up in a dialogue window when I activated extended support on my machine, but can't find a way to see it again.

It's basically a year from today, 14th October 2026.

And my understanding is that you just need one activation on your Microsoft account and it will cover all windows 10 installs that you have tied to that account.
 
Durin said:
Just leaving this Chris Titus WinUtil here, because it's the easiest de-bloater if you're upgrading to Windows 11.

Easy to install, GUI is nice enough, strips out Onedrive, lets you batch install multiple programs at once on a new computer, gives you presets depending on how much you want to remove, and has a video tutorial if that's easier to follow along.
Click to expand...
I used that one too. Upgraded and debloated that thing like a month ago.

I also switched off animations, and made auto hide of task bar more responsive.

Im dual booting between Win11 and CachyOS though.

I can squeeze more performence I think in a lot of games without Raytracing on Linux.

I currently have a decent experience playing Cronos on Cachy compared to Win11.

EDIT: I recently got on to Helldivers 2 bandwagon with my friends so I mostly use Win11 for that since it runs kinda worse on Linux than Win11, otherwise I'm daily driving Cachy.

What I mean by running kinda worse is:
I have like 30 to 30% of my Ryzen 7 7800x3D usage on Linux, and 60% on Win11 - that is better. Lower usage.

But I have lower framerates. So I said f it and I'm playing that one on Win11. Lmao.

Otherwise I am squeezing more performance on Linux. And it downloads pre-compilated shaders from Valve servers. That one is golden.

I'm waiting for the same Raytracing performance on Linux since AMD decided to help with Mesa drivers.
 
Last edited:
Durin said:
Just leaving this Chris Titus WinUtil here, because it's the easiest de-bloater if you're upgrading to Windows 11.

Easy to install, GUI is nice enough, strips out Onedrive, lets you batch install multiple programs at once on a new computer, gives you presets depending on how much you want to remove, and has a video tutorial if that's easier to follow along.
Click to expand...
I've seen this mentioned a few times - it looks pretty complicated as to what you need to or should do with it.

Is it just for new installs or existing ones?
Does it do anything that's genuinely worth doing on Windows?
 
My PC is sitting under my virtual pinball machine as its only functionality. I'll never upgrade from windows 10. NEVER!
 
DenchDeckard said:
If you move over to linux is it more or less as stable as Windows and as easy to install component drivers etc?
Click to expand...

Depends on your hardware.

If you've got an all AMD build it's pretty much plug and play these days if you go for bazzite or CachyOS.

If you're using it primarily/mostly for gaming then go for the bazzite gaming mode image:

bazzite.gg

Bazzite - The next generation of Linux gaming

Bazzite makes gaming and everyday use smoother and simpler across desktop PCs, handhelds, tablets, and home theater PCs.
bazzite.gg bazzite.gg
 
Last edited:
DenchDeckard said:
If you move over to linux is it more or less as stable as Windows and as easy to install component drivers etc?
Click to expand...
I am rockin Mint since 2020...had not a single crash till today. (but I only started gaming on it half a year ago) I think it has a reason why servers are running mostly on linux. ;)

Installing stuff can be pretty easy too. Every distro has his own software manager which has all sorts of common apps. It just gets a bit more complicated (than just clicking icons) if you want stuff which isnt in it. But nothing a windows gamer cannot figure out in two minutes.

Drivers? I think the only driver I ever had to install was the nvidia one (which is also just two clicks).

Just be aware than in case you use exotic josticks/hotas/wheels or other niche hardware stuff...thats where it starts to get really shitty compared to Windows. Unfortunately these niche controllers are mostly niche even on windows...and there is close to zero chance that this stuff works under linux. But I see people trying more and more. And the more people using linux the more likely it gets that stuff could work in future. ;)
 
LectureMaster said:

What are my options for staying supported on a Windows operating system?

  • Installing Windows 11 on your current PC - If your PC meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11 and is eligible to upgrade directly to Windows 11, you might have already received a notification about upgrading. To check if your PC is eligible for the free upgrade go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select Check for updates.
  • New PC with Windows 11 - If your PC is not eligible, or if you want a new PC with Windows 11 pre-installed, you might want to start by exploring the latest Windows 11 PCs. This tool will help you find the right PC based on your unique needs.
  • Extended Security Updates (ESU) program - If you need more time before moving to a Copilot+ PC or other new Windows 11 device, the consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program can protect your Windows 10 device up to a year after October 14, 2025.
Click to expand...
@option 1) if your PC does not meet the requirements, try to install it anyway.
I don't know what is actually a hard no, but I installed Windows 11 on 4 machines now and 2 of them did not meet the upgrade criteria. One wasn't even in UEFI mode and it still worked. (changing to UEFI is easy)
The install process knows it, you get notified and have to accept that you are not actually eligible for upgrades. So you may not receive upgrades in the future. Which makes it then practically a Win10 PC.
(there are plenty of install guides. it's practically the same plus the one accept step)
 
I've been running W11 for a while and works great for me. I like the office ecosystem and having my laptop, desktop and mobile devices synced up
 
is there any risk of hacking or anything if i continue to use windows 10? serious question here.
 
lh032 said:
is there any risk of hacking or anything if i continue to use windows 10? serious question here.
Click to expand...
Most hacks I read about are human error based and not some weird vulnerability of an OS. Ideally you dont have any private stuff on yr slutty windows partition. So the only stuff which can be hacked or stolen are yr gaming accounts.
 
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What i'll probably do eventually is to just switch full time to a linux distro - likely arch or maybe something gaming oriented like cachyOS or a potential Desktop SteamOS - and have a dual boot with windows 10 that'll be there exclusively to play games that i can't get to run on linux properly.
 
Guilty_AI said:
What i'll probably do eventually is to just switch full time to a linux distro - likely arch or maybe something gaming oriented like cachyOS or a potential Desktop SteamOS - and have a dual boot with windows 10 that'll be there exclusively to play games that i can't get to run on linux properly.
Click to expand...
Staring Star Wars GIF by Disney+
 
rajkosto said:
massgrave.dev

Windows 10 Updates After End-Of-Life | MAS

This document explains how users can receive official updates after the retirement date of Windows 10 on October 14, 2025.
massgrave.dev massgrave.dev

You can upgrade to win 10 LTSC keeping all your installed stuff with this trick and enjoy almost 10 more years of win10 support
Click to expand...
That actually gave me an idea that I didn't know was possible. I used massgrave in the past as always to activate my totally legit enterprise w10. Because of this, I'm not allowed to enroll in ESU. But I suppose I can just change my version to Pro? Thanks for link.
 
I've got 2 old gaming PC unable to upgrade to Win11. Really old hardware.
Intel 3770 GTX 1080Ti
Intel 2600 and a GTX660.
They both still work but Windows says they can't upgrade to Win11. :(
Are these worth dicking around in alternative OS? Or should I just get rid of em.

My main gaming PC has been on Win11 for almost 2 years with only minor annoyances that have fixes. Like the right click other options BS had a registry edit fix.
I've also tried Win 11 on the Steamdeck for a short while before reinstalling Steam OS. That was 'fun'
 
Reizo Ryuu said:
Not really, it generally tends to be user error; you'd pretty much have to go back all the way to win xp to get hacked randomly.
Click to expand...
Yeah, XP was the last OS I had a virus (not only one). I think "someordinarygamer" had a vid not long ago where he installed XP in a virtual machine and the moment he connected to the internet he had several viruses already. :messenger_tears_of_joy:
 
Magic Carpet said:
I've got 2 old gaming PC unable to upgrade to Win11. Really old hardware.
Intel 3770 GTX 1080Ti
Intel 2600 and a GTX660.
They both still work but Windows says they can't upgrade to Win11. :(
Are these worth dicking around in alternative OS? Or should I just get rid of em.

My main gaming PC has been on Win11 for almost 2 years with only minor annoyances that have fixes. Like the right click other options BS had a registry edit fix.
I've also tried Win 11 on the Steamdeck for a short while before reinstalling Steam OS. That was 'fun'
Click to expand...
With those two machines, you're more likely to run into problems due to the old CPUs than win10 for gaming
 
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